Microsoft Devices today announced that the Lumia Denim software update has commenced rolling out to Lumia users in New Zealand. The over-the-air update will become available over the coming weeks, dependent on country and operator variant, with the full range of devices expected to be updated by the end of March.

As well as great new features, the free software upgrade is a step towards Windows 10, which will become available later this year. Our goal is for the majority of the Lumia phones running Windows Phone 8 and 8.1 to join the Windows ecosystem along with an expected hundreds of millions of PCs, tablets and other devices running the next generation of Windows.

Lumia users will be automatically notified of the Lumia Denim update via a prompt on their handset, offering them instant access to the latest Windows Phone 8.1 update, with exclusive experiences for Lumia smartphones.

To check if an update is available manually, users can simply head to settings > phone update > check for updates.

Features and benefits:– Folders. This update gives users more ways to personalise their phone. On the Start screen, they can create Folders to organise Live Tiles and see popular suggested apps at a glance.– Apps. With Apps Corner, users can now set up a custom Start screen for other people who use their phone.– Internet. Enjoy improved downloading speeds on mobile websites in IE.– Security. Lumia users can also add a personal VPN to protect data on their Lumia while on a Wi-Fi network.

The Lumia Denim update also bolsters Microsoft’s leadership in imaging with the introduction of unique innovations in Lumia Camera that make photography and video functionality faster and more intuitive. Coming as part of the Lumia Denim update to Lumia 930 and Lumia 830, it offers:– Speed. Never miss a moment with Lumia Camera and its fast camera startup and capture speeds. Take numerous photos with just milliseconds between shots.– High definition. Using Moment Capture, a long press of the camera button within the app automatically starts 4K-quality video recording at 24 frames per second. Each frame is of high image quality at 8.3 megapixels, allowing every single video frame to be selected and saved as a still image.– Intuitiveness. Get the best shot every time with Rich Capture, which simplifies picture-taking with auto HDR and Dynamic Flash. With Rich Capture, people can avoid the hassle of adjusting camera settings; they can shoot first and edit and select the perfect shot later.– Quality. Capture high-quality smartphone images in low light with the latest-generation imaging algorithms.